Kabul Museum was once considered the most comprehensive record of Central
Asian history. Also known as Afghanistan National Museum, Kabul museum was
one of the most famous archaeological sites in Afghanistan. Built in 1920,
the museum was home to some of the finest collections in central Asia. Many
antiquities from Kushan, early Buddhism and early Islam have been hosted by
the museum. Some early manuscripts, miniatures, weapons and art objects
belonging to former royal families were stored here. Almost 90% of the
artifacts in the museum were excavated in Afghanistan and formed a complete
historical record of the great cultural crossroad of Asia.
Museum Displays
Some of the best antiques of Persia, India, China, Central Asia, Greece and
the Arabs were once stored in the Kabul museum. One of the largest displays
in the museum was Bagram collection. Bagram collection was discovered in
1939, while excavating the Kushan fort. It consisted an amazing array of
1,800 pieces from India, Greece, Rome and the whole Central Asia. The Kabul
Museum also had one of the largest displays of Greek and Roman coins found
near Kabul. This collection was a historical treasure, as it contained coins
from numerous civilizations dating from the 8th century B.C. to the late
19th century. Some of the most elegant relics from Alexandria, Ashokan,
Akhamansheed, Greek, Buddhist, Kanishkan, Zoroastrian and Muslim periods had
been preserved in the Kabul museum. Many of the coins and artifacts here had
been dated back from the 8th century B.C. to the late 19th century.
Kabul Museum after Destruction
Kabul museum was one of the richest cultural repository of the world but
the historical treasures of the museum were destroyed and looted by the
Taliban. The upper galleries of the museum were destroyed completely. The
artifacts in the museum were looted later. Looted artifacts were sold
illegally in the world market at high prices. In 1994, the United Nations
initiated to stop the looting by repairing the doors, and bricking up the
windows. But at that time 90% of te museum artifacts were looted.
Renovation of Museum
The museum is being renovated with the help of foreign countries. Efforts
are being made to restore the museum's collections. Organisations like
CEREDAF, a French NGO, Museum Guimet of Frant, the British Museum and the
SPACH are jointly working to restore the glory of Kabul Museum.
